18/10/2025
Murayama died at a hospital in his hometown Oita, southwestern Japan, according to a statement by Mizuho Fukushima, the head of Japan’s Social Democratic Party.
As head of what was then known as the Japan Socialist Party, Murayama led a coalition government from June 1994 to January 1996.
He is best remembered for the “Murayama statement,” an apology he issued on the 50th anniversary of Japan’s unconditional surrender ending World War II on Aug. 15, 1995. It’s seen as Japan’s main expression of remorse for its wartime and colonial past.
“During a certain period in the not too distant past, Japan, following a mistaken national policy, advanced along the road to war ... and, through its colonial rule and aggression, caused tremendous damage and suffering to the people of many countries, particularly to those of Asian nations,” he said in the statement.
Murayama was first elected to parliament in 1972 as a socialist lawmaker after working for a labor union and serving in a local assembly.
When he became prime minister in 1994, he broke with his party’s longtime opposition to the Japan-US security alliance and Japan’s Self-Defense Forces, recognizing them as constitutional in a speech given in the face of yelling by angry members of his party. | via Associated Press
